Tag: Daniel Zeichner

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-01-05.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the powers local councils hold to prevent littering on roads.

Andrew Jones

The responsibility for clearing highway litter and sweeping carriageways is governed by the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Each individual highway authority is responsible for clearing litter on the roads for which they are responsible. In the case of some all-purpose trunk roads, the responsibility for clearing litter falls to the local district councils.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-01-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support the academic and socio-emotional needs of children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Edward Timpson

This Government is committed to making sure that every child reaches their full potential. Schools and local authorities should work with specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in order to support children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This collaborative approach aims to ensure the best possible outcome for children and young people with ADHD. Additionally, the Children and Young People’s project for the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme aims to increase the choice and availability of evidence based treatments. This includes support therapies such as parent training or education, which is recommended in the NICE guidelines as a first line treatment for ADHD in early years and school aged children.

In addition, the 0-25 years Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice[1] emphasises the importance of schools identifying the underlying causes of behaviour issues, whether or not these require special educational provision. Early identification of ADHD means that steps can be taken to define the needs of children and young people and put in place appropriate intervention to support them.

The importance of early assessment of need is also emphasised in other statutory guidance, including statutory guidance on exclusion,[2] with headteachers being expected to consider the use of multi-agency assessment for pupils who demonstrate persistent disruptive behaviour.

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-code-of-practice-0-to-25

[2]https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/269681/Exclusion_from_maintained_schools__academies_and_pupil_referral_units.pdf

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-01-27.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to Transport for London’s press release of 20 January 2016, TfL sets out plans to modernise and enhance London’s private hire industry, what representations he has received from the Mayor of London on the introduction of legislation that would enable TfL to restrict overall numbers of private hire drivers and vehicles.

Andrew Jones

We receive representations on a range of issues from the Mayor of London.

The Government supports choice for consumers, and wants to see both taxis and private hire vehicles prosper in London and elsewhere. The Government is prepared to continue discussing various options with the Mayor but does not believe legislation allowing him to cap the number of private hire vehicles is warranted.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-02-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many disabled people have been affected by the under-occupancy deduction from housing benefit to date.

Justin Tomlinson

The information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-02-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the timeliness of the processing of Disclosure and Barring Service checks.

Karen Bradley

The average processing time for disclosure applications is 15.3 days and 94.3% of applications are issued within 8 weeks, as of December 2015. Some Enhanced Certificate applications are referred to relevant police forces. DBS is working closely with the small number of forces whose performance does not meet turnaround targets.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-02-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 15 February 2016 to Question 26407, what funding for cycling in London is included within the (a) £925 million of capital funding and (b) £659 million of resource funding paid to Transport for London.

Mr Robert Goodwill

The annual funding grant paid to the Greater London Authority by the Department is not ring-fenced and it is a matter for the Mayor to determine how it is spent.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-02-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with the Department of Health to encourage more people to walk.

Mr Robert Goodwill

Since 2013 the Department has worked with the Department of Health (DH) to deliver projects to increase walking levels in Norwich, Birmingham, Cambridge, Greater Manchester and Leeds/Bradford through DH funded Walking Cities programme. These projects have now started to achieve a cultural and strategic shift towards more walkable cities which complements the Department’s investment in measures to increase cycling levels through the Cycle Ambition Cities programme.

A report and evaluation summary of the interventions in Birmingham, Leeds/Bradford and Norwich reveals that 49% were more likely to choose walking and 47% felt fit and healthy as a result of being involved in the programme. The five Cities in receipt of Walking City funding have highlighted the need for capital funding to deliver infrastructure improvements to make walking safer and easier to support increased walking levels.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-03-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 11 March 2016 to Question 29611, in what specified format the Buses Bill will require data on routes, timetables, punctuality and fares to be published; and whether this format will differ from the format currently used by his Department to publish bus fares information.

Andrew Jones

The Buses Bill will not specify the format in which the data on routes, timetables, punctuality and fares must be provided. The Bill would give the Secretary of State the powers to make secondary legislation to mandate the provision of data. The specific format of the data will be determined following discussions with industry in due course.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-04-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how funding is allocated for the Local Growth Fund; and if he will publish formal guidance on the bidding process for local enterprise partnerships.

James Wharton

The Local Growth Fund is competitively awarded to Local Enterprise Partnerships based on the strength of their plans for driving economic growth in their areas. The Secretary of State has written to all LEPs setting out the basis on which further awards will be made later this year. The government is encouraging bold and ambitious bids for this further funding, which will be assessed competitively based on the quality of the proposals submitted.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-05-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to define the term, fit and proper, for the licensing of taxi and private hire vehicle drivers.

Andrew Jones

The Department for Transport currently provides Best Practice Guidance to assist with the fit and proper person test, which is the responsibility of local authorities.